Tactile Pattern Music Generator and Player

ABSTRACT

A device that produces patterned tactile sensations discernible to human touch from micro-actuators housed in a fabric, or other pliable material, where such actuated sensations are discernible by a user donning the fabric. The device is configured to convert electronically stored music or audio data into a sequence of patterned tactile outputs in a matrix across the fabric, providing a tactile representation of the music or audio data to the user. The discernible tactile sensations may alternately comprise retractable physical features, electric stimuli, and/or combinations of these.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application derives and claims priority from U.S. provisional application 61/579,416 filed 22 Dec. 2011, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates principally to a novel device that produces tactile sensations discernible to human touch, and more particularly produces patterned tactile sensations in a fabric, or other pliable material, that are discernible by a user donning the fabric, and even more particularly to a novel device that converts electronically stored music into patterned tactile outputs in a matrix across a fabric. The discernible tactile sensations may, for example, be alternately created by retractable protrusions, contractible matrix cells, electric or temperature stimuli, and/or combinations of these.

For many years, there have existed for the purposes of entertainment countless devices that allow an individual or a multitude of individuals to listen to audio renditions of music stored in a variety of electronic formats. By way of example, such devices include speakers of all kinds in association with radios, record players, cassette players, CD players, and MP3 players. However, such devices provide limited tactile sensations for the listener, and then only indirectly or by way of a side-effect. From time to time, there have been forays into the presentation, at least in part, of creating a tactile sensation from music through vibration. However, aside from devices that directly or indirectly create musical vibrations or various braille generators, there currently exist no devices that are designed to convert electronically stored music or other audio or electronic files into tactile outputs that can be sensed or felt for entertainment.

It is therefore desirable to create a device that is capable of converting electronic files, including but not limited to music files, into patterned tactile outputs that can be sensed or felt through tactile sensations. Such a device may include for example, tactile outputs across a fabric that can be donned by an individual such that the individual is able to sense or feel the tactile outputs when the fabric is in contact with that individual's body. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the present invention sets forth a tactile pattern player comprising a matrix of tactile actuators, with each actuator configured to produce a tactile event in response to an electric impulse applied to the actuator. An electronic data storage unit and a data converter operatively associate with the actuators in the matrix. The data converter is configured to convert electronic data into electrical impulses selectively directed to the actuators in a timed sequential pattern defined by the data converter. With the tactile pattern player disposed or incorporated into the clothing of a user, the actuation of the actuators in response to the electrical impulses produces tactile sensations that are perceived by the user when the clothing is donned by the user.

In one embodiment, the electronic data is representative of audio data, and the data converter is configured to control the actuators 26 to produce a tactile representation of the audio data that is perceptible to a user via contact with the user's body.

The foregoing features, and advantages set forth in the present disclosure as well as presently preferred embodiments will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematic of one embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematic of another embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematic of yet another embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player configured with the actuation matrix in a fabric headband worn about the head of a user.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flexible course matrix of an embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player connected to a computer or microprocessor that controls the patterned actuation of the matrix.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a contraction-type tactile actuation cell or unit of a matrix of an embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player in a relaxed state and in an actuated state following application of an electric current to the actuator.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a protrusion-type tactile actuation cell or unit of a matrix of an embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player in a relaxed state and in an actuated state following application of an electric current to the actuator.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a heat emitting type tactile actuation cell or unit of a matrix of an embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player in a non-actuated state and in an actuated state following application of an electric current to the actuator.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an electric discharge type tactile actuation cell or unit of a matrix of an embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player in a non-actuated state and in an actuated state following application of an electric current to the actuator.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a flexible course matrix of an embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player connected to a computer or microprocessor that controls the patterned actuation of the matrix, and where the computer or microprocessor is operatively connected to an external electronic audio file storage device such as, for example, an MP3 player.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematic of another embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematic of another embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematic of another embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematic of another embodiment of the novel tactile pattern player.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are for illustrating the concepts set forth in the present disclosure and are not to scale.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description enables one skilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the present disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the present disclosure.

Referring to the drawings in general, several embodiments of the novel tactile pattern player 10 of the present disclosure are shown by way of example. As can be seen, the player 10 comprises a computer or microprocessor 12 having an integrated data converter 12 a and an integrated memory unit 12 b, that is operatively connected to an electronic data storage unit 14, a battery or other power source 16, and a pliant and elastic tactile fabric 18 having an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 22. The fabric 18 comprises a matrix 24 of small and light-weight electronic tactile actuators 26 carried by the fabric 18. (FIGS. 5, 10), where each of the actuators 26 is configured to produce a tactile event in response to an electric impulse applied to the actuator. Each actuator 26 is controlled by the computer 12 to selectively actuate in response to signals supplied from the computer 12. Of course, the quantity, size and densities of actuators 26 comprising each matrix 24 may vary substantially from fabrics 18 having very course matrices, as depicted by way of example in FIGS. 5 and 10, to fabrics 18 having very small actuators 26 in a very dense matrix 24. Further, the matrix 24 is not limited to rectangular or square cells, but may be comprised of any variety of shaped cells and cellular alignments, such as for example, a matrix having hexagonal, octagonal or even haphazardly-shaped cells.

The computer 12 and electronic data storage unit 14 may each be further configured with one or more external connectors for receiving data from external sources. In addition, the player 10 may be configured to receive audio input (FIG. 10) that can be immediately converted to tactile stimuli in the matrix 24 or that can be stored in the memory unit 12 b of the player 10 for recordation and future use of the input.

In at least one embodiment, such as for example as shown in FIG. 4, the player 10 is configured to be fully portable with an associated portable power source 16, such as for example a portable battery, set of batteries or solar cell. However, in other configurations the player 10 may be configured to attach to or plug into an external power source 16 such as a power outlet, a power jack in an electronic component or other such external power source.

It can be seen that each of the actuators 26 is electrically connected through the computer 12 or the data converter 12 a to the power source 16. In one embodiment, the actuators 26 are each configured to produce or generate a retractable bump or protrusion 30 (FIG. 7) in a direction opposite the outer surface 22 of the fabric 18 when stimulated by an electric impulse from the battery 16 as controlled by the computer 12. In this embodiment, the actuator 26 maintains the protrusion 30 so long as the computer applies the electric impulse to the actuator 26. The protrusion 30 retracts or relaxes when the electrical impulse ceases. Preferably, the protrusions 30, and by correlation the absence of the protrusions 30, are sized and shaped such that the actuation and emergence of the protrusion 30 is discernible by human epidermis. Likewise, the retraction and absence of the protrusion 30, such as when the protrusion 30 relaxes or retracts, is also discernible by human epidermis.

In this embodiment, the computer 12 comprises an integrated programmable data converter 12 a and an integrated memory unit 12 b (see FIGS. 1-3, 11-13), the data converter 12 a being operatively associated with each of the actuators 26 in the matrix 24. Alternatively, the data converter 12 a can be a separate component operatively associated with the computer 12 and the actuators 26. Similarly, the memory unit 12 b can be a separate component operatively associated with the computer 12. The integrated data converter 12 a is configured to convert electronic data stored in the memory unit 12 b into electrical impulses that are then selectively directed to the actuators 26 in the matrix 24 over a period of time and in a pattern defined by the data converter 12 a. The electrical impulses, as dictated by the data converter 12 a, control the amplitude and the duration of each actuation of each of the actuators 26. As can be appreciated, the controlled actuation of the actuators 26 can be patterned to represent specific musical notes, tones and/or volume levels, as well as for vocals. Hence, the player 10 can, for example, replicate a musical song that has been stored in the memory unit 12 b as an electronic data file by using a preprogrammed data conversion pattern stored in the data converter 12 b, where the conversion pattern defines which actuators 26 in the matrix 24 to actuate, including the timing and duration of each such actuation so as to provide a patterned tactile sensation across the matrix 24 that mimics or corresponds to each of the notes and vocals in the song being played as a tactile pattern by the player 10.

The electric current or impulses that actuate the actuators 26 may be applied in a variety of manners as may be desired. For example, the electric current or impulses may be applied in a serial fashion, in a raster-scan fashion, or via independent isolated cell actuation. The ability to utilize a specific actuation manner will be dictated in part by the configuration of the interconnections between the actuators 26 and the computer 12 or the data converter 12 a. That is, in order to enable the computer 12 or the data converter 12 a to actuate specific actuators 26 in a matrix 24 independent of the order of actuating other actuators 26 in the same matrix 24, each actuator 26 requires its own independent set of wires or other electric current carrying mechanism connected to the computer 12 or the data converter 12 a so as to allow the actuation of that particular actuator 26 without impacting the actuation of any of the other actuators 26 in the matrix 24. In contrast, for a raster-scan actuation, the actuators 26 may be connected to the computer 12 or the data converter 12 a in groups—typically in rows and columns of the matrix 24—such that a rapid timed actuation of the actuators 26 can be achieved sequentially across each row or column of the matrix 24, which does not require individualized or isolated electrical connection between the computer 12 or the data converter 12 a and each actuator 26.

The actuators 26 may be connected to the computer 12 or the data converter 12 a by wires, conductive fibers, conductive polymers, or any other electric current carrying mechanism or device that provides the flexibility and durability as may be desired or required for construction of the various configurations of the player 10.

Preferably, the data converter 12 a comprises an integrated circuit device executing a set of software instructions or a program to convert electronic data retrieved from the storage unit 12 b into electrical impulses selectively directed to the actuators 26 over a period of time in a pattern defined by the program. In yet another embodiment, the data converter 12 b can be user-programmable or modifiable such that a user can selectively input variable correlations between the electronic data supplied to the data converter 12 b and the electric impulses directed to the actuators 26 so as to create or otherwise manipulate the conversion pattern or patterns stored in the data converter 12 b that convert the electronic data to patterned actuations of the actuators 26 across the matrix 24.

Optionally, the data converter 12 a may be configured with an audio-signal input port, enabling the player 10 to be operatively connected to an external source of audio signals, such as for example a personal music or data storage device, a CD player, an MP3 player, a cell phone, a cassette or other tape player, or a radio. (See, e.g., FIGS. 10, 12). Signals received via the input port may be converted by the data converter 12 a into electrical impulses directed to the actuators 26, enabling the user to sense in a tactile fashion (i.e., “feel”) the signals. For example, the data converter 12 a may be configured to send one or more electric impulses associated with a particular musical note or vocal to an actuator or group of actuators 26 oriented in the matrix 24 such that the actuation of that actuator or group of actuators 26 corresponds to and replicates in a desired tactile sense the pitch, timbre, tone, duration, intensity, amplitude and/or resonance of the musical note or vocal.

The tactile events produced by the actuators 26 in response to the electrical impulses from the data converter 12 a or computer 12 may comprise, for example, any one or more of the following: a retractable protrusion (FIG. 7); a retractable contraction (FIG. 6); an electric discharge (FIG. 8); a twisting or turning protrusion (not shown); a suction or pinching (not shown); or a discharge of heat (FIG. 9), depending upon the specific type of tactile actuator 26 utilized in the matrix 24. For example, the tactile actuators 26 may consist of individual micro-sized units of electro-active polymers (i.e., dielectric electro-active polymers or ionic polymers), which are essentially layered capacitors that change their capacitance when subjected to an electric current by allowing the polymer to compress in thickness and expand in area due to the electrical field. See for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2010/0205803 A1, 2010/0197184 A1, 2009/0293663 A1, 2010/0109486 A1, and 2008/08284277 A1, each of which are herein incorporated by reference. Alternately, by way of example, each tactile actuator 26 may define a cell consisting of a positive electric pole; a negative electric pole; and a coiled or circular dielectric positioned between and operatively associated with the positive and negative poles.

In order to facilitate improved use of the player 10 as a user-wearable article of clothing, it is preferable that the matrix 24 is pliable, and even more preferable stretchable or elastic, and housed in a fabric 18 with a means to snugly hold the matrix 24 operatively against the body of a user. (See FIGS. 4-5). In one embodiment, the player 10 is configured in the general shape of a headband 100 (FIG. 4) that can be worn about the head. In other embodiments, the player 10 can form or be incorporated into any of a variety of articles of clothing that can be worn about a portion of the user's body, such as for example, an arm, leg, or torso. Such articles of clothing can comprise for example a jacket, a hat, a glove, a scarf, a wristband, an armband, pants, shorts, socks, a leg bands, or a shirt. Referring to the headband 100 of FIG. 4 by way of example, the matrix 24 of the headband 100 may be of sufficient elasticity so as to stretch to hold the headband 100 snugly to a person's head as shown. Alternately, the fabric 18 of the headband 100 may be of sufficient elasticity so as to stretch to hold the headband 100 snugly to a person's head with the matrix 24 pressed against the user's skin. Yet, alternatively again, the headband 100 may comprise an adjustment mechanism, such as for example, a set of cords to tie the headband 100 snugly to a person's head; a set of snaps, or hooks and loops, or buttons and button holes, or other such well-known attachment devices to allow the user to snugly secure the headband 100 to the user's head. In this way, a substantial portion, if not all, of the matrix 24 is in pressed against the user's skin to provide the optimum tactile sensation for the user when the actuators 26 are activated by the player 10.

The present disclosure can be embodied in-part in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The present disclosure can also be embodied in-part in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, or another computer readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into, and executed by, an electronic device such as a computer, micro-processor or logic circuit, the device becomes an apparatus for practicing the present disclosure.

The present disclosure can also be embodied in-part in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the present disclosure. When implemented in a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tactile pattern player comprising: a matrix of tactile actuators, each of said actuators configured to produce a tactile event in response to an electric impulse applied to the actuator; an electronic data storage unit; and a data converter operatively associated with each of the actuators in the matrix, the data converter configured to convert electronic data into electrical impulses selectively directed to the actuators over a period of time in a pattern defined by the data converter.
 2. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, further comprising a power source configured to supply power for the electrical impulses directed to the actuators.
 3. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, wherein the data converter comprises a program and is configured to convert electronic data into electrical impulses selectively directed to the actuators in a pattern defined by the program.
 4. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, wherein the data converter is programmable and allows a user to selectively input variable correlations between the electronic data and the electric impulses directed to the actuators.
 5. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, wherein the data converter is configured to allow a user to create electronic data that can be utilized by the data converter to generate tactile patterns.
 6. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, wherein the tactile event comprises at least one of the following: a retractable protrusion; a retractable contraction; a twisting protrusion; an electric discharge; or a discharge of heat.
 7. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, wherein at least one of the actuators is a dielectric polymer.
 8. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, wherein the data converter is configured to receive electronic data from an external source.
 9. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, wherein the matrix is pliable.
 10. The tactile pattern player of claim 9, wherein the matrix is housed in a fabric.
 11. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism configured to hold the matrix against the body of a person.
 12. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, further comprising an audio input component operatively associated with the computer and configured to provide electronic data.
 13. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, wherein the data converter is configured to selectively control the amplitude of each electrical impulse.
 14. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, wherein the data converter is configured to selectively control the duration of each electrical impulse.
 15. The tactile pattern player of claim 1, wherein the electronic data comprises a musical note.
 16. The tactile pattern player of claim 15, wherein the amplitude of the electric impulse corresponds to the volume of the musical note.
 17. The tactile pattern player of claim 15, wherein the duration of the electric impulse corresponds to the duration of the musical note.
 18. The tactile pattern player of claim 15, wherein the data converter sends an electric impulse associated with the musical note to an actuator having a position in the matrix that corresponds to one or more of the following: the pitch of the musical note; the timbre of the musical note; or the tone of the musical note.
 19. The tactile pattern generator of claim 1 wherein at least one of the actuators is configured to produce a graduated actuation.
 20. A wearable tactile pattern generator comprising: a plurality of tactile actuators arranged in a matrix on a pliant substrate, each of said actuators configured to selectively produce a tactile event discernible to human touch upon application of an electric current to such actuator; an electric power source configured to selectively supply electrical impulses to the actuators; an electronic data storage component; a computer operatively associated with the actuators, the power source and the data storage component, and having a program, the computer configured to convert electronic data from the data storage component into electrical impulses selectively directed from the power source to the actuators in a pattern defined by the program.
 21. The wearable tactile pattern generator of claim 20, further comprising an attachment component configured to releasably secure the substrate to a person.
 22. A tactile generator cell comprising: a positive electric pole; a negative electric pole; and a circular dielectric positioned between and operatively associated with the positive and negative poles. 